Federal Prison For Woonsocket Bank Robber: U.S. Attorney

WOONSOCKET, RI — Edred Buchanan, 40, of Woonsocket, robbed the Citizens Bank on Waterman Street near Brown University on Nov. 5, 2015. Then, on Nov. 12, 2015, he hit another Citizens branch, this time on Westminster Street in the Downtown. He pleaded guilty this past March to two counts on bank robbery. On Tuesday, he was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison. He will also do three years' probation after he completes his prison term and pay $2,561 restitution to the banks, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

According to court papers, Buchanan admitted that on November 5, 2015, he entered the Citizens Bank branch on Waterman Street in Providence and passed a note to a teller demanding money in $50 and $100 denominations. He left with $1,011 in cash and the note.

Additionally, Buchanan admitted that on November 12, 2015, he entered the Citizens Bank branch on Westminster Street and passed a note to a teller, which read, “Robbery! Gun! Loose 50s N’100s. No Dye Packs! Quick!” He left with $1,550 in cash but without the note.

He was ultimately caught because Woonsocket police were assisting Blackstone, Mass., police investigate a bank robbery that occurred on Nov. 9, 2015, in Blackstone. They advised an FBI agent about information they had developed and evidence they had seized regarding the Blackstone bank robbery. That tip eventually led the FBI and Providence Police to identify Buchanan as the person responsible for the Providence bank robberies. He was arrested on March 30, 2016.

Image via Shutterstock